El Clasico Referee Revealed as Real Madrid Fans Voice Frustration

The demanding task of officiating the upcoming El Clasico has fallen to 35-year-old referee Javier Alberola Rojas, according to reports in the Spanish media. A La Liga referee since 2017, he has taken charge of several heated Madrid derbies in recent years, as well as last season's Copa del Rey final between Real Sociedad and Atletico.

Real Madrid fans have already taken to social media to voice their frustration over the appointment. Their anger stems from a recent decision by Alberola. During April's clash against Girona, Kylian Mbappe was caught by an elbow from Girona defender Vitor Reis inside the penalty box. The heavy collision in the 88th minute left Mbappe with a cut above his right eyebrow and blood covering his face. Alberola declined to award a penalty, VAR did not intervene, and the match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw.

Alberola's name was also dragged into the "Negreira case". According to the investigation, he was among the referees who hired the son of the former Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) vice-president for coaching and psychological preparation. The referee himself denied any involvement in the corruption allegations surrounding the Negreira family, maintaining that he only used the son's services in a professional sports psychology capacity.

Later this week, Alberola Rojas will also officiate his first-ever Champions League fixture when he oversees tomorrow's meeting between Sabah and Borussia Dortmund.